Meszaros upkeep neglected

UPDATE 9/18/2014: district children "choke on dust"

Artificial turf changes the game

"In an informal survey by FOXSoccer.com, there was unanimity among the United States women's national team in its opposition and revulsion to a World Cup on turf. "It's not the same game," says midfielder Shannon Boxx.

"It plays totally different," explains playmaker Megan Rapinoe, who relies heavily on her touch. "You have to scoop [the ball] instead of chip. Your touch is different; the way you dribble is different."

In the back, goalkeeper Hope Solo would have to contend with altered ball speeds and bounces. "The ball might come at a different pace; it's never consistent," she says. "The bounce is never consistent, how it's going to skip. It takes away my ability to read the ball. I'm not as confident playing on turf."

Artificial grass also prevents them from playing with their usual abandon. "I like to defend and tackle and slide-tackle," says midfielder Carli Lloyd. "You're hesitant on turf. I play a bit different. You walk away with scrapes and burns. It's just not fun."

"You have to reconsider doing something for fear of injuring yourself," says Wambach.

Since the USA will most likely practice on turf fields as well -- during the tournament and probably in much of its preparations, in order to replicate game conditions -- the wear and tear will be worse than usual on a surface that studies have shown to cause more injuries. "You're going to be more sore; you're going to be scraped up; you could take on a massive injury and be out for the rest of the tournament," says Wambach. "You want to play on a surface that's as forgiving as possible. Injuries happen on grass too, but they're just much less frequent. Grass gives."USWNT stars not backing down on artificial playing surface stanceLeander Shaerlaeckens Fox Soccer 9/10/2014permanent link